Empowerment and gender norms among Yoruba women and men cassava producers.

Yoruba women have gained a reputation as empowered traders, but their empowerment in agriculture has received less attention. This study examines the empowerment of Yoruba men and women cassava producers in Nigeria's Southwest geopolitical zone. It combines data from an Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) survey with results from focus group discussions and key informant interviews.

Disentangling the main factors influencing spring algal blooms in the Three Gorges Reservoir using partial least square structural equation modelling.

Eutrophication and the associated algal blooms is a pervasive problem affecting global health, aquaculture, agriculture, water-related industries, and freshwater ecosystems. Spring algal blooms (SABs), which are less common than summer blooms, occur during a time that is thought to be less advantageous due to mild winds, little precipitation, and a relatively small amount of NPS pollutants being transported. Thus, It is pertinent to understand further the factors influencing SABs directly and/or indirectly for improved management.

How water stability relates with timing, size, and community successions of harmful algal blooms: A case study in the Three Gorges Reservoir.

Effective management of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) requires understanding factors influencing their occurrence. This study explores these dynamics in the Pengxi River, a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, focusing on nutrient stratification and algal blooms. We hypothesized that nutrient levels in eutrophic waters with stable stratification correlate with HAB magnitude and that disruption of stratification triggers blooms due to nutrient shifts.

Characterising sources of PM exposure for school children with asthma: a personal exposure study across six cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Air pollution is the second largest risk to health in Africa, and children with asthma are particularly susceptible to its effects. Yet, there is a scarcity of air pollution exposure data from cities in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to identify potential exposure reduction strategies for school children with asthma living in urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa.

A cross-country qualitative analysis of teachers' perceptions of asthma care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease among school-going adolescents worldwide. However, the burden of severe asthma is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to explore teachers' perceptions of asthma care across six African countries.

Barriers to childhood asthma care in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicountry qualitative study with children and their caregivers.

Objectives: This study identifies barriers and provides recommendations to improve asthma care in children across sub-Saharan Africa, where qualitative data is lacking despite high rates.

Design: One of the aims of our National Institute for Health Research global health research group 'Achieving Control of Asthma in Children in Africa' was to use qualitative thematic analysis of transcribed audio recordings from focus group discussions (FGDs) to describe barriers to achieving good asthma control.

Setting: Schools in Blantyre (Malawi), Lagos (Nigeria), Durban (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda) and Harare (Zimbabwe).

Management and Prevention of Pre-Eclampsia in Nigeria.

This research paper analyses the management and prevention of pre-eclampsia in Nigeria. Although efforts have been made to reduce outcomes due to pre-eclampsia, it still rears its head in the form of high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review was to identify the main obstacles, gaps, and interventions related to the prevention and management of pre-eclampsia in order to be fully knowledgeable of the magnitude of the issue at the national level, to assess if current government policies are adequate and to recommend solutions.

Ecosystem anthropogenic enrichments enhance Chroococcus abundance and suppress Anabaena during cyanobacterial-dominated spring blooms in the Pengxi River, Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

Taxa-specific responses to the increasing anthropogenic eutrophication offer promising insights for mitigating harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwaters. The present study evaluated the HABs species dynamics in response to the ecosystem anthropogenic enrichment during cyanobacterial-dominated spring HABs in the Pengxi River, Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Results show significant cyanobacterial dominance with a relative abundance (RA = 76.

Temporal groundwater quality, health risks and source point management zonation of multi-aquifers in Jilin Qian'an, Northeastern China.

Jilin Qian'an, located in Northeastern China's Songnen Plain, relies almost exclusively on groundwater for drinking. The quaternary phreatic aquifer (Q) is distinguished by high geogenic fluoride and arsenic concentrations, which necessitates reliance on quaternary confined (Q) and neogene confined (N) aquifers (deeper aquifers) as source point management (SPM) alternatives. However, deeper aquifers are contaminated, necessitating temporal monitoring and unique management strategies.

Multiple Blood Transfusion may contribute to Abnormal Liver and Endocrine Functions in Adults with Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Background: The study evaluated the effect of multiple blood transfusions on the prevalence of iron load and its effects on organ functions in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).

Methodology: Sixty-seven multiply transfused SCA subjects and 58 non-multiply transfused SCA controls were investigated. Serum ferritin, insulin, growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were measured by the ELISA method while plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) was measured spectrophotometrically.

Impact of post-tuberculosis lung disease on health-related quality of life in patients from two tertiary hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Post-tuberculosis (TB) lung disease is a recognised cause of chronic respiratory disease, and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been extensively described.

Objectives: To describe the clinical profile, spirometry impairment and impact of post-TB lung disease on HRQoL among patients attending two tertiary hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and obtained data through interviews, chart reviews and physical examination.

The feasibility and effect of a nurse-led, patient-centered asthma education program in a Nigerian context.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Insufficient asthma education is an unmet need in Nigeria. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a nurse-led asthma education program and its effect on asthma knowledge and outcomes in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: Using a quasi-experimental study design, we recruited participants ≥12 years with physician diagnosed asthma.

Effects of the natural environment and human activities on iron and manganese content in groundwater: a case study of Changchun city, Northeast China.

Excessive Fe and Mn in groundwater of the Songnen Plain, northeast China, pose a threat to water security. Human activities over recent decades have had significant effects on the water quantity and quality of the Songnen Plain. By adopting the large city of Changchun in the Songnen Plain as a research area, this study analyzed the effects of the natural environment (including characteristics of soil and aquifer, climate, and groundwater level) and human activities (including groundwater salinization, groundwater exploitation, and nitrate effects) on groundwater Fe and Mn using statistical and spatial analysis methods.

Groundwater fluoride chemistry and health risk assessment of multi-aquifers in Jilin Qianan, Northeastern China.

Groundwater from deep confined aquifers is often recommended for use because of it's low fluoride health risk. Thus, this study appraised groundwater fluoride hydrochemistry in a multi-aquifer system in Jilin Qianan to determine the non-carcinogenic health risk liable from exploiting the respective aquifers. 124 samples collected from the tertiary confined aquifer (N), quaternary confined aquifer (Q), and quaternary phreatic aquifer (Q) during surveys in 2001 and 2017 was analyzed using hydrochemical, statistical, spatial, and health risk assessment methods.

Unrecognized Respiratory Morbidity among Adolescents and Young Adults in Nigeria: Implications for Future Health Outcomes.

Background: Lung function impairment is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality. Unrecognized respiratory morbidity may be a missed opportunity to improve future health outcomes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the relationship to spirometry abnormalities and respiratory diagnosis among medical students in Lagos, Nigeria.

State, source and triggering mechanism of iron and manganese pollution in groundwater of Changchun, Northeastern China.

The present state of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) concentration in groundwater of Changchun city located within the Songnen Plain of northeastern China was evaluated in this study. Heavy metal sources, as well as triggering mechanism, were analyzed using a physicochemical, statistical and spatial approach. Results revealed that out of the 2600 samples analyzed, 214 (representing 8.

Connective tissue disease--associated interstitial lung disease: an underreported cause of interstitial lung disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurs in 15% of connective tissue disease (CTD) patients causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Data is scarce regarding its clinical characteristics and outcomes in Africa. We aim to study the frequency, clinico-radiological characteristics, and treatment outcomes of African CTD-ILD patients.

Achieving Control of Asthma in Children in Africa (ACACIA): protocol of an observational study of children's lung health in six sub-Saharan African countries.

Introduction: Little is known about asthma control in the rising number of African children who suffer from this condition. The Achieving Control of Asthma in Children in Africa (ACACIA) study is an observational study collecting evidence about paediatric asthma in urban areas of Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The primary objectives are: (1) to identify 3000 children aged between 12 years and 14 years with asthma symptoms; and (2) to assess their asthma control, current treatment, knowledge of and attitudes to asthma and barriers to achieving good control.

Improving coverage and completion rate of isoniazid preventive therapy among eligible HIV patients using quality improvement approaches: a case study of State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major killer of people living with HIV. One key strategy to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis in HIV patients is the use of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT). However, coverage of IPT among eligible HIV clients is poor.

Hand Hygiene Practice Among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa (Handy Study).

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) practices are emphasized as the single most important way of reducing HealthCare-Associated Infection (HCAIs). This study was done to assess the compliance with hand hygiene and knowledge about standard HH practices by health care workers as well as to assess the availability of HH materials in the largest tertiary Hospital in Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study involving consecutive observations during routine patient care in various units of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; using a checklist and compliance forms adapted from the WHO guidelines was done.

Knowledge and practice assessment, and self reported barriers to guideline based asthma management among doctors in Nigeria.

Background And Objective: Doctors' knowledge contributes to practice and quality of care rendered to patients. To assess the knowledge and practice assessment and self reported barriers to guideline-based management among doctors.

Subjects And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among doctors from various part of the country attending a continuing medical education (CME) program in Lagos, Nigeria.

Tuberculosis infection prevention and control measures in DOTS centres in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Nigeria is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country. However, there is limited evidence on implementation of tuberculous infection prevention and control (TBIC) practices in Nigeria. To assess TBIC practices, and barriers to their implementation, in TB-DOTS centres in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Evaluating Relevance of Nursing Theories in Cross-Cultural and International Contexts.

Nursing has evolved over the past five decades in propagating the development of theoretical and empirical evidence through the application of nursing theories. The objective of this commentary is to stimulate scholarly debate focused on the development, application, and adaptation of nursing theory by nurse scientists, its relevance in the cross-cultural contexts, and to discuss future directions with a call to action using Leininger's seminal work on Culture Care Theory. The implicit nature of nursing theories preclude the optimal use and application in cross- cultural contexts because of the limitations in achieving conceptual, semantic, and operational equivalence.

Assessment of the knowledge of teachers about asthma and the availability of facilities for asthma care in public secondary schools in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Asthma is a common chronic illness affecting young people. Asthma management at schools may be influenced by teachers' knowledge of the condition and the availability of treatment facilities.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of secondary school teachers in Lagos, Nigeria, regarding asthma and to evaluate management options available at schools.